Mud pan and knife organizer

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a rotatable mud pan and knife organizer. The mud pan includes a trough and a wrist strap disposed a bottom side of the trough. The wrist strap is configured to enable the trough to provide rotation of the trough while holding the wrist strap. Advantageously, the rotatable trough allows a worker to more efficiently utilize the mud pan while applying a compound. Additionally, the wrist strap can include a hook for storing a blade not in use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present non-provisional patent application/patent claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/148,563, filed on Jan. 30, 2009, and entitled “MUD PAN AND KNIFE ORGANIZER,” the contents of which are incorporated in full by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to tools. More particularly, the present invention provides a rotatable mud pan and knife organizer for applying a compound.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally in dry wall construction, a worker uses a trough (also known as a “mud pan” to hold a supply of joint compound or the like while applying joint compound to the joints between panels before and after covering the joint with tape. The worker uses a putty knife to dip joint compound from the trough and apply the joint compound to the wall. The mud pan is typically held by the worker in one hand, and the knife in the other hand. The worker is typically required to continuously turn the mud pan during application of the joint compound.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,792 to McCoy et al. discloses a mud pan support device magnetically attachable to, and releasable from, a flat bottom panel of a mud pan to be carried in one hand while applying joint compound with a trowel or mud spreading tool held in the other hand. The device includes an elongated substantially flat support panel and a handle connected to and extending from a central area of one surface of the support panel. A substantially flat magnetized panel is connected to, and is at least partially coextensive with, another surface of the support panel and is sized to be at least partially coextensive with the bottom panel of the mud pan. The magnetized panel is of sufficient magnetically attractive strength to serve as an only means for secure magnetic engagement between the magnetized panel and the bottom panel when the mud pan is filled with mud or plaster.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,840,415 to Sapien, Jr. discloses a brace assembly for supporting a drywall pan including a support frame positionable within a user's hand adapted for holding a drywall pan. An arm and wrist brace is adapted for being secured to a user's arm and wrist. A connection brace extends between the support frame and the arm and wrist brace.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a rotatable mud pan and knife organizer. The mud pan includes a trough and a wrist strap disposed a bottom side of the trough. The wrist strap is configured to enable the trough to provide rotation of the trough while holding the wrist strap. Advantageously, the rotatable trough allows a worker to more efficiently utilize the mud pan while applying a compound. Additionally, the wrist strap can include a hook for storing a blade not in use.

In an exemplary embodiment, a mud pan and knife organizer includes a trough comprising a bottom wall; a hand strap comprising a rotatable member disposed to the bottom wall, wherein the hand strap is operable to receive a worker's hand; and wherein the rotatable member is configured to rotate the trough relative to the hand strap. The mud pan and knife organizer further includes a hook disposed to the hand strap, wherein the hook is configured to receive a putty knife. Optionally, the hand strap comprises a hook and loop fastener. The rotatable member is fixedly attached to the hand strap. The rotatable member is removeably attached to the bottom wall. The rotatable member is removeably attached with a hook and loop fastener. Optionally, the rotatable member comprises a top portion, a bottom portion, and a plurality of ball bearings.

In another exemplary embodiment, a method of applying a compound with a mud pan and knife organizer includes attaching a hand strap on the mud pan and knife organizer to a user's hand; filling the mud pan and knife organizer with the compound; grasping a putty knife; placing compound from the mud pan and knife organizer on the putty knife; and rotating the mud pan and knife organizer. The method further includes storing a second putty knife on the mud pan and knife organizer. The method further includes attaching the hand strap to a bottom wall of a trough on the mud pan and knife organizer.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, a mud pan and knife organizer includes a trough comprising a bottom wall; a hand strap comprising a rotatable member disposed to the bottom wall, wherein the hand strap is operable to receive a worker's hand, and wherein the rotatable member is configured to rotate the trough relative to the hand strap; and a hook disposed to the hand strap, wherein the hook is configured to receive a putty knife; wherein the hand strap comprises a hook and loop fastener. The rotatable member is fixedly attached to the hand strap. The rotatable member is removeably attached to the bottom wall. The rotatable member is removeably attached with a hook and loop fastener. The rotatable member comprises a top portion, a bottom portion, and a plurality of ball bearings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote like method steps and/or system components, respectively, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rotatable mud pan according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the rotatable mud pan of FIG. 1 showing rotation according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rotatable mud pan of FIG. 1 showing a detachable hand strap according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the detachable hand strap of FIG. 3 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a rotatable member for the detachable hand strap of FIG. 3 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective views of an exemplary use of the rotatable mud pan of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rotatable mud pan of FIG. 1 showing a hook for a putty knife according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides a rotatable mud pan and knife organizer. The mud pan includes a trough and a wrist strap disposed a bottom side of the trough. The wrist strap is configured to enable the trough to provide rotation of the trough while holding the wrist strap. Advantageously, the rotatable trough allows a worker to more efficiently utilize the mud pan while applying a compound. Additionally, the wrist strap can include a hook for storing a blade not in use.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8, a rotatable mud pan 10 includes a trough 12 with a bottom wall 14, end walls 16, 18, and side walls 20, 22. The end walls 16, 18 and the side walls 20, 22 are disposed substantially adjacent to the bottom wall 14. Collectively, the walls 14-22 form the trough 12. For example, the walls 14-22 can form a trapezoidal shape or the like for the trough 12.

The present invention includes a rotatable handle mechanism, such as a wrist strap 30, disposed to the bottom wall 14 of the trough 12. The hand strap 30 enables the trough 12 to rotate a full 360 degrees (e.g., rotation 32 is illustrated between FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). For example, the hand strap 30 can include a rotating mechanism, such as ball bearings or the like which enable the trough 12 to rotate while the hand strap 30 remains substantially stationary.

The hand strap 30 can detach from the bottom wall 14 (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 3). The hand strap 30 can connect to the bottom wall 14 though Velcro, a magnet, a notch, a button, or the like. For example, the bottom wall 14 can include a base attachment 34 which can attach to the bottom wall 14 through various mechanisms, i.e. tape, glue, etc. The base attachment 34 can include Velcro, a magnet, or the like. The base attachment 34 can be added to an existing trough 12, for example. Additionally, the hand strap 30 can be fixedly attached to the bottom wall 14.

The hand strap 30 includes a strap 40 which can include a first end 42, a second end 44, and a middle portion 46. The hand strap 30 can include a hook-and-loop fasteners, e.g. Velcro, with a hook portion 48 at the first end 42 and a loop portion 50 at the second end 44. Collectively, the hook portion 48 and the loop portion 50 can be utilized to close and secure the strap 40 to a specific length as required. For example, the hand strap 30 is configured to receive a worker's hand. The hook portion 48 and the loop portion 50 enable sizing of the hand strap 30 as required for the hand.

The middle portion 46 can be disposed to a rotatable member 60. The rotatable member 60 is configured to allow the hand strap 30 to rotate the trough 12 while the hand strap 30 remains substantially stationary. Advantageously, this enables the worker to rotate the trough 12 as required for applying a joint compound 62. For example, the trough 12 can be filled with the joint compound 62 or the like as illustrated in FIG. 7.

Additionally, the hand strap 30 can include a hook 64 disposed to one of the ends 42, 44. The hook 64 is configured to receive a putty knife 66 or the like, such as illustrated in FIG. 8. For example, workers often utilize two or more putty knives 64 depending on the application. The hook 64 provides an efficient storage mechanism which is quickly accessible to the worker.

The rotatable member 60 can connect to the base attachment 34 through the various mechanisms described herein. FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary rotation mechanism for the rotatable member 60. Here, the rotatable member 60 includes a top portion 70 and a bottom portion 72. The portions 70, 72 can connect through a plurality of ball bearings 74 which enable the portions 70, 72 to rotate with respect to one another. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the rotatable member 60 can include other mechanisms as are known in the art.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate an exemplary use of the rotatable mud pan 10. For example, a worker can place his or her hand 80 in the hand strap 30 and size the hand strap 30 accordingly with the ends 42, 44. The ends 42, 44 can be wrapped around the hand 80 and fastened, such as Using the hook portion 48 and the loop portion 50. The worker can then hold the rotatable mud pan 10 with compound 62, and apply the compound 62 to a surface, rotating the trough 12 as needed during the application of the compound 62.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments . and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention and are intended to be covered by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A mud pan and knife organizer, comprising: a trough comprising a bottom wall; a hand strap comprising a rotatable member disposed to the bottom wall, wherein the hand strap is operable to receive a worker's hand; and wherein the rotatable member is configured to rotate the trough relative to the hand strap.
 2. The mud pan and knife organizer of claim 1, further comprising: a hook disposed to the hand strap, wherein the hook is configured to receive a putty knife.
 3. The mud pan and knife organizer of claim 1, wherein the hand strap comprises a hook and loop fastener.
 4. The mud pan and knife organizer of claim 1, wherein the rotatable member is fixedly attached to the hand strap.
 5. The mud pan and knife organizer of claim 4, wherein the rotatable member is removeably attached to the bottom wall.
 6. The mud pan and knife organizer of claim 5, wherein the rotatable member is removeably attached with a hook and loop fastener.
 7. The mud pan and knife organizer of claim 1, wherein the rotatable member comprises a top portion, a bottom portion, and a plurality of ball bearings.
 8. A method of applying a compound with a mud pan and knife organizer, the method comprising: attaching a hand strap on the mud pan and knife organizer to a user's hand; filling the mud pan and knife organizer with the compound; grasping a putty knife; placing compound from the mud pan and knife organizer on the putty knife; and rotating the mud pan and knife organizer.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: storing a second putty knife on the mud pan and knife organizer.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: attaching the hand strap to a bottom wall of a trough on the mud pan and knife organizer.
 11. A mud pan and knife organizer, comprising: a trough comprising a bottom wall; a hand strap comprising a rotatable member disposed to the bottom wall, wherein the hand strap is operable to receive a worker's hand, and wherein the rotatable member is configured to rotate the trough relative to the hand strap; and a hook disposed to the hand strap, wherein the hook is configured to receive a putty knife; wherein the hand strap comprises a hook and loop fastener.
 12. The mud pan and knife organizer of claim 11, wherein the rotatable member is fixedly attached to the hand strap.
 13. The mud pan and knife organizer of claim 12, wherein the rotatable member is removeably attached to the bottom wall.
 14. The mud pan and knife organizer of claim 13, wherein the rotatable member is removeably attached with a hook and loop fastener.
 15. The mud pan and knife organizer of claim 11, wherein the rotatable member comprises a top portion, a bottom portion, and a plurality of ball bearings. 